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Solutrean Atlatl at Combe Sauniere

c. 17,500 BCE · Prehistoric

Human EvolutionTechnology

A reindeer-antler atlatl hook excavated in 1986 from the Upper Solutrean level of Combe-Sauniere cave in the Dordogne region of France is the earliest confirmed spear-thrower in the archaeological record. Dating to approximately 17,500 years ago, this device extended a hunter's throwing arm, increasing projectile velocity and range. The technology spread across cultures worldwide, appearing later in Australia as the woomera and in Mesoamerica under the Aztec name atlatl.

Locations

Combe-Sauniere Cave

Topics

Upper Paleolithicatlatlspear-throwerSolutrean culturehunting technologyprojectile weapons

Connected Events — 2 Connections

Atlatl technology was central to Clovis hunting strategy, used to bring down megafauna across North America Clovis Culture

11,500 BCE · Technology · Prehistoric

The atlatl represents the next major advancement in projectile technology after the Schoningen wooden throwing spears Schöningen Spears: Earliest Wooden Hunting Weapons

c. 400,000-380,000 BCE · Human Evolution · Prehistoric

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